Contributed by Vidura Mahatma Dasa Automatic Acceptance “One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding.” (Bg 4.34 purport excerpt) The automatic blessing of genuine spiritual understanding from the genuine desire of the disciple is a significant factor in the guru-disciple relationship. It depicts the approach of the spiritual master as being a spiritual approach rather than a physical approach. This is fluent with how Srila Prabhupada defines both a disciple and initiation: “A disciple means who voluntarily agrees to be disciplined by the spiritual master.” (Lecture 2/11/75)
Note: This could only mean that the spiritual master’s blessing is there automatically upon the discipline being followed. A spiritual approach. ———————————————————- “Initiation is a formality. If you are serious, that is real initiation. My touch is simply a formality. It is your determination, that is initiation.” (“BTG #49)
Note: If determination is the initiation, this could only mean that the transcendental knowledge (real initiation) from Srila Prabhupada is automatically there. A spiritual approach. ———————————————————– “This is the process of initiation. He promises to execute the order of the spiritual master. Then, the spiritual master takes care of him and elevates him to spiritual emancipation.” (Cc Madhya 24.256 Purport)
Note: Again we see the same automatic element here. Upon promising to execute the order of the spiritual master, the spiritual master takes care of him spiritually. ————————————————————
“…as you are all following my instruction, in that matter, the initiator is already there.” (Letter 8/19/68)
Note: Another strong proof that Srila Prabhupada’s blessing of genuine spiritual understanding is already or automatically there as we are all following his instruction. The approach is following the instructions. ———————————————————— “So diksa means the initiation to begin transcendental activities. That is called initiation.
Therefore we take promise from the disciple that “You chant so many times,” “Yes, sir.” “You observe these rules and regulations,” “Yes, sir.” That is initiation. He has to observe; he has to chant. Then everything comes automatically.” (Lecture SB 6.1.15 — February 22, 1973) The genuine desire and promise from the disciple is the approach itself, then everything comes automatically. Indeed, the spiritual master is so merciful and always, by nature, willing to accept a genuine disciple, that Srila Prabhupada is describing the process as almost a sort of spiritual mechanism. Acceptance on the part of the spiritual master must be there but it is to be understood that it occurs automatically and spiritually from the determined execution of his instructions or, in other words, the passing of his test. Referring back to the introductory purport we can see that this automatic acceptance is simply the kind nature of the spiritual master: “A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect.” (Bg 4.34 purport excerpt) The bigger picture It’s important to remember the basic principle or purpose of the spiritual master. The spiritual master is sent on behalf of Lord Krsna in order to help the fallen conditioned souls in the material world surrender unto Krsna, as per His order in the Bhagavad-gita 18.66: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” Srila Prabhupada says in this regard: “Krishna’s representative means the representative says the same thing as Krishna says.
Krishna says “Surrender unto Me,” and the representative says “Surrender to Krishna.” And because he delivers the real knowledge, he’s as good as Krishna.” (Garden Conversation — June 8, 1976, Los Angeles) “One may argue that “Where is Krishna?” No, you have got Krishna’s representative, guru.
Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. The representative is there. If you act according to his instruction, if you want to please him, then Krishna is pleased.” (Lecture SB 6.1.15 — June 28, 1975) Where is the question of Srila Prabhupada not being ready to accept a disciple providing the disciple genuinely desires to surrender unto Krishna by seriously executing Srila Prabhupada’s instructions? This is the meaning of automatic.
Vani versus Vapu Spiritual life versus physical presence “Although according to material vision His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvatī
Ṭhakura Prabhupada passed away from this material world on the last day of December, 1936, I still consider His Divine Grace to be always present with me by his vani, his words. There are two ways of association – by vani and by vapu. Vani means words, and vapu means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore we must take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence.” (Cc. 1975 Concluding Words) “…progress in spiritual life cannot be obstructed by any material condition. This is called ahaituky apratihata. Reception of spiritual knowledge is never checked by any material condition.” (SB 7.7.1 purport) This point is significant. Srila Prabhupada has described the physical presence of the spiritual master in accordance with our material vision. Srila Prabhupada also teaches that progress in spiritual life and reception of spiritual knowledge is never checked by any material condition.
Therefore, the physical presence of the spiritual master could not be required at any time in the course of one’s spiritual life in that any transcendental knowledge received (diksa) would have depended on simply executing his instructions, which pleases him. The approach is not an approach to the physical body within material vision but an approach to the vani of the spiritual master – his words and instructions. In the same way, the spiritual master’s acceptance is not on a material, physical basis but it is a spiritual acceptance based on the genuine desire of the disciple – to be confirmed spiritually on the assurance that by following his instructions he is automatically blessing you with genuine spiritual understanding.
Principle, not the body “Just like Krishna can be present simultaneously in millions of places, similarly the spiritual master also can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the principle, not the body. Just like a television can be seen in thousands of places by the principle of relay monitoring.” (Letter, May 28, 1968) Spiritual master from within and from without The purpose of approaching a spiritual master is to receive spiritual guidance and become eligible to return back home, back to Godhead. Since we aren’t pure enough to consult directly with the Supersoul, Sri Krishna, we must approach an external, physical and self-realized spiritual master in order to receive this same spiritual guidance in a way perceivable to our present senses. This happens to be the reason Srila Prabhupada wrote so many books. Srila Prabhupada’s books are nondifferent from himself in transmitting transcendental knowledge and providing spiritual guidance to any sincere candidates who agree to abide by the methods of devotional service prescribed n his books.
“Krishna is the first spiritual master, and when we become more interested, then we have to go to a physical spiritual master. That is enjoined in the next verse. tadviddhi pranipatena pariprashnena sevaya upadekshyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darshinah [Bg. 4.34] Now, Krishna advises that “If you want to know that transcendental science, then you just try to
approach somebody.” Pranipatena. Pranipatena, pariprashnena and sevaya. What is pranipata?
Pranipata means surrender. Surrender. You must select a person where you can surrender yourself because nobody likes to surrender to anyone.” (Lecture: Bhagavad-gita 4.34 — New York, August 14, 1966) “Regarding your question, this surrender to Supersoul is in the advanced stage of Krishna Consciousness. So long one is not advanced, he has to take information and direction from the representative of Supersoul or the Spiritual Master. The spiritual master is external manifestation of the Supersoul. Thus the Lord helps the living entity, helps both from inside & outside.” (Letter — Calcutta 22 February, 1972) “The spiritual master is considered to be the outward expression of the Supersoul. God is so kind that He is within, giving you education, provided you are prepared to hear. And from without, He sends His representative. So both ways we are benefited. We have to take advantage of this opportunity. From without, we have got these books, the spiritual master, the saintly persons, so many. Friends, books. And from within, Krishna, the Supersoul.” (Lecture: Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.2.1 — San Francisco, March 18, 1968) To be continued……